Question 1

what happens if taking methotrexate for autoimmune diseases?

Accepted Answer

It depends: Methotrexate is a potent immunosuppressive medication . It also helps reduce the need for corticosteroids that have significant side effects. Its major side effect is on the liver, causing liver damage; it can affect the lining of the gut; rarely it causes a hypersensitivity inflammation of the lung (Methotrexate pneumonitis). Therefore, patients need to be carefully monitored while on the drug, .

Question 2

is methotrexate for autoimmune diseases?

Accepted Answer

Yes, good for many: Low dose weekly Methotrexate is an excellent and safe drug (as long as you don't drink alcohol) that is useful for treating a number of autoimmune diseases either alone or combination with other drugs. I sometimes use it in kids with an autoimmune disease where the exact diagnosis is not clear since it is excellent for long term control of inflammation without the use of steroids. Talk to your doc.

Question 3

i have pad pos ana. muscle joint pain. what are early symptoms of autoimmune disease flare? i have rheumy. stop seeing because i wasn't having symps

Accepted Answer

Define PAD: PAD  means peripheral artery disease. This would be unusual in your age  group depending on the rest  of your  symptoms and findings. A +ANA is seen is autoimmune disease  but is only a clue  and by itself is not diagnostic.  It can be seen in other clinicial settings and is not diagnostic alone.You best  decision is to return to see your rheumatologist.

Question 4

might methotrexate help w/dysautonomia symptoms caused by autoimmune disorder like lupus when standard tx (floninef & salt)don't' work but prednisone does?

Accepted Answer

It is not known: The setting you describe seems rational. Prednisone is anti-inflammatory and Florinef (fludrocortisone) is not used as an anti-inflammatory . The mechanism of the dysautonomia can be related to inflammation of the neurologic system and this Methotrexate may work. As you know therapy for dysautonomia is not clear but you are fortunate that yours responds to prednisone. Sometimes it does not.

Question 5

what do autoimmune diseases attack?

Accepted Answer

Any part of the body: Autoimmune illness happens when a person's immune system mistakenly targets her/his own cells, tissues, organs. Because of this, at least eighty, and probably many more, diseases are actually considered autoimmune in origin. The disease doesn't attack. It's the attack that caused the disease.

Question 6

are autoimmune diseases very common?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Most people with hypothyroidism have the disease hashimoto's thyroiditis.  When you add psoriasis, colitis to the diseases ra, spondyloarthritis, type 1 diabetes, and onward, you have a majorpercentage of american's having an "autoimmune disease.

Question 7

what can cause an autoimmune disease?

Accepted Answer

"cellular confusion": Many diseases can be classified as autoimmune (rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, etc) immune system is designed to protect us from outside infections, toxins, and is programmed to recognize foreign objects.  Sometimes body parts are mistakenly identified and our white blood cells attack our organ systems.  Genetics, the environment, prior infections may trigger this error.

Question 8

i've got autoimmune diseases. now what?

Accepted Answer

WHAT TYPE?: I will be happy to give more specific answers, but autoimmune diseases range from rheumatoid arthritis to thyroid problems. I hope your physician gave you a more specific answer as to what type of illness you have? Or do have an abnormal blood test?

Question 9

how does someone get autoimmune disease?

Accepted Answer

Very little.: I would like to say we can vaccinate things away.  But little is still known about the causation of ra, sle, and sjorgren's.  We understand more the causation of psoriatic arthritis and spondylitis, but still do not have the final answers.  Close, but no cookie!

Question 10

what family members get autoimmune diseases?

Accepted Answer

No certainity: Although autoimmune disease have high genetic transmission rates, I do not know if you can say who will get what until signs/symptoms appear.  So the best advice i can give is that you to be aware of the signs and symptoms of conditions which are prevalent in your family and be vigilant and honest in recognizing them and taking action to be evaluated by a medical professional.

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Doctor answers about:

What happens if you stop taking methotrexate for autoimmune diseases

A member asked:

What happens if taking methotrexate for autoimmune diseases?

A member asked:

Is methotrexate for autoimmune diseases?

A member asked:

I have pad pos ana. muscle joint pain. what are early symptoms of autoimmune disease flare? i have rheumy. stop seeing because i wasn't having symps

A member asked:

Might methotrexate help w/dysautonomia symptoms caused by autoimmune disorder like lupus when standard tx (floninef & salt)don't' work but prednisone does?

A member asked:

What do autoimmune diseases attack?

A member asked:

Are autoimmune diseases very common?

A member asked:

What can cause an autoimmune disease?

A member asked:

I've got autoimmune diseases. now what?

A member asked:

How does someone get autoimmune disease?

A member asked:

What family members get autoimmune diseases?

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